Urban Transit for Livable Cities from edX

The goal of urban transit is to achieve an intermodal transportation balance. Ideally, each mode is used in its optimal role, in order to create a people-friendly environment. But how exactly can that be accomplished?

This course will cover examples from different cities and countries; comparing their physical characteristics, transportation policies, and evaluations of their strengths and weaknesses. Learners interested in transportation engineering and city planning will gain expert insight into the critical role transit services have on the character of the city and quality of life.

Urban Transit is designed for transportation engineers, city planners, and general city planning enthusiasts. It’s also well-suited for graduate and advanced undergraduate students of transportation, civil, environmental, mechanical, electrical and systems engineering, business administration, economics, and architecture.

The course is taught by Vukan R. Vuchic, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Transportation Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Vuchic has consulted on cities for government agencies and locations around the world.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand technical and operational characteristics of transit systems
Review efficient operations of bus and rail transit modes

Explore role and impact of bus, transit, and rail on a city’s livability
Describe policies to create balance between transit, cars, and pedestrians and other modes

Understand technical and operational characteristics of transit systems
Review efficient operations of bus and rail transit modes
Explore role and impact of bus, transit, and rail on a city’s livability
Describe policies to create balance between transit, cars, and pedestrians and other modes

Syllabus

Course Outline

Week 1 - Cities and Transportation: Evolution of Transport Modes

Week 2 - Highway Transit: Buses, Trolleybuses, BRT/BHLS and Paratransit

Week 3 - Rail Transit: Tramways/Streetcars, LRT, Metro, Regional Rail

Week 4 - Rail Transit Infrastructure, Operations and Roles

Week 5 - Rail Transit Network, Scheduling and Performance

Week 6 - Fares, Financing, Ownership and Regulation

Week 7 - Transit Planning, Mode Selection and Design

Week 8 - Transportation for Livable Cities: Policies and Implementation Measures

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores transit systems used in cities worldwide, providing insight for city planning and transportation engineering students

Taught by Vukan Vuchic, Emeritus Professor of Transportation Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, who has consulted on cities for government agencies and locations around the world

Covers efficient operations of bus and rail transit modes, reviewing technical and operational characteristics of transit systems

Examines policies to create balance between transit, cars, and pedestrians and other modes, which is highly relevant to city planning and urban transportation

Suitable for transportation engineers, city planners, and general city planning enthusiasts, offering insights into the role of transit services in shaping urban environments and quality of life

Requires students to come in with extensive background knowledge, which may be a barrier to entry for some learners

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Urban Transit for Livable Cities with these activities:

Organize and Review Course Resources

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Consolidate and review course materials regularly to enhance understanding and retention.

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Identify areas for further study or clarification
Compile notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams
Summarize key concepts and insights

Review math skills

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Practice math problems.

Browse courses on Linear Algebra

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Review basic math concepts
Practice solving math problems

Attend Industry Webinars and Conferences

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Engage with professionals in the field to gain insights, make connections, and stay updated on industry trends.

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Identify relevant industry webinars and conferences
Register and participate in live events or access recordings
Connect with speakers and attendees

One other activity

Expand to see all activities and additional details

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Contribute to Transit Advocacy Organizations

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Gain practical experience and contribute to improving transit systems by volunteering with local advocacy groups.

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Identify local transit advocacy organizations
Contact the organizations and express interest in volunteering
Participate in campaigns, events, and outreach activities

Career center

Learners who complete Urban Transit for Livable Cities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Transportation Engineer

Transportation Engineers are responsible for planning, designing, and maintaining transportation systems, including roads, highways, bridges, and public transit systems. This course would be helpful for Transportation Engineers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their technical and operational characteristics, as well as their impact on the livability of cities. This knowledge will help Transportation Engineers to design and implement transit systems that are efficient, effective, and sustainable.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and water supply systems. This course would be helpful for Civil Engineers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their technical and operational characteristics, as well as their impact on the livability of cities. This knowledge will help Civil Engineers to design and build transit systems that are efficient, effective, and sustainable.

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Public Transit Manager

Public Transit Managers oversee the operation of public transit systems, including buses, trains, and ferries. This course would be helpful for Public Transit Managers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their technical and operational characteristics, as well as their impact on the livability of cities. This knowledge will help Public Transit Managers to operate transit systems that are efficient, effective, and sustainable.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners develop plans for the use of land and resources in cities and towns. This course would be helpful for Urban Planners because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their technical and operational characteristics, as well as their impact on the livability of cities. This knowledge will help Urban Planners to develop plans that promote the use of transit and create more livable cities.

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Transportation Planner

Transportation Planners develop plans for the movement of people and goods within a city or region. This course would be helpful for Transportation Planners because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their technical and operational characteristics, as well as their impact on the livability of cities. This knowledge will help Transportation Planners to develop plans that promote the use of transit and create more livable cities.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement plans to reduce the environmental impact of organizations and communities. This course would be helpful for Sustainability Managers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their environmental impact and their role in creating more sustainable cities. This knowledge will help Sustainability Managers to develop and implement plans that promote the use of transit and reduce the environmental impact of transportation.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems, such as air and water pollution and climate change. This course may be helpful for Environmental Engineers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their environmental impact and their role in creating more sustainable cities. This knowledge will help Environmental Engineers to design and implement solutions that promote the use of transit and reduce the environmental impact of transportation.

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Public Policy Analyst

Public Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues and make recommendations for policy changes. This course may be helpful for Public Policy Analysts because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their impact on the economy, the environment, and the social fabric of cities. This knowledge will help Public Policy Analysts to develop and analyze public policies that promote the use of transit and create more livable cities.

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Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects design outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and plazas. This course may be helpful for Landscape Architects because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their impact on the design and construction of outdoor spaces. This knowledge will help Landscape Architects to design outdoor spaces that are accessible to transit users and that promote the use of transit.

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Urban Designer

Urban Designers plan and design cities and towns. This course may be helpful for Urban Designers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their impact on the design and development of cities and towns. This knowledge will help Urban Designers to design cities and towns that are accessible to transit users and that promote the use of transit.

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Transportation Economist

Transportation Economists analyze the economic impact of transportation systems and policies. This course may be helpful for Transportation Economists because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their economic impact and their role in creating more sustainable cities. This knowledge will help Transportation Economists to analyze the economic impact of transportation systems and policies and to develop policies that promote the use of transit and create more livable cities.

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Architect

Architects design and construct buildings and other structures. This course may be helpful for Architects because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their impact on the design and construction of buildings and other structures. This knowledge will help Architects to design buildings and structures that are accessible to transit users and that promote the use of transit.

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